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The Samsung Galaxy S7 is here in all its glory. The 7th iteration of the flagship “Galaxy” phones released alongside the larger Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge has been with us for many years now but has come a very long way. Never one to skimp on features the new Samsung Galaxy S7 is a tremendous piece of technology.

This review was written after using the device for a while as my primary device and is evaluated on its performance overall in everyday situations doing everyday tasks. I’ll start by saying that the Samsung Galaxy S7 performed great in just about every category with some real standout features that I will explore below. Let us get into it!

Hardware and Design

The Samsung Galaxy S7 is a beautiful device with premium materials and an excellent finish. The curved back which is new to the S7, actually makes a different when it comes to comfort. The glass on the front and back blends seamlessly into the metal with the home button, power, volume up and down, camera on the back, speaker, USB port, and headphone jack all protruding or slotted into the design to give a clean look. The added water and dust resistance is a welcomed new feature for people who want the added piece of mind that such protection provides against accidents. The return of the SD card slot is also a big deal as its questionable removal in the S6 was not well received by customers.

Specs

  • Processor – 2.3GHz Quad + 1.6GHz Quad 64bit (Octa Core)
  • Connectivity – 2G, 3G and 4G capability, WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, infrared
  • Memory – 32/64 GB User memory + microSD slot (up to 200GB) 4GB RAM
  • Display – 5.1 inch Full HD Super AMOLED (1440 x 2560 pixels) display, 576 ppi
  • Camera – 12 MP rear facing F 1.7 camera with flash + 5 MPl front facing camera. Full HD video
  • Sensors – Accelerometer, RGB light, Heart rate, Proximity, Gyro, Barometer, Compass, Fingerprint
  • Battery – 3000 mAh
  • Size and Weight – 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9 mm, 152g
  • Operating System – Android 6.0 (Marshmallow)
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Though I got used to the Note line of Samsung Galaxy phones that are larger with enormous displays; the Samsung galaxy S7’s 5.1-inch screen is the sweet spot for smartphone screen sizes unless for whatever special reasons you just have to have a larger screen. The phone feels great in hand but is a fingerprint magnet; If you plan to get the S7, grab a stylish case to ward off the fingerprints and to protect the device, but feel free to wear it naked sometimes as it would be a shame to always cover up its great hardware design features.

Camera

As stated in my first impressions post and video of the Samsung Galaxy S7 the camera in this device is the best I have every used in a mobile phone. Don’t let the reduction in the megapixel count fool you. The dual pixel technology which gives every one of the pixels on the image sensor two photodiodes instead of one simple means DLSR/professional level snaps that can fit in your pocket and another stake in the heart of standalone pocket camera makers. The autofocus on this camera is insane allowing for quick shots in various lighting conditions. If I had to choose one standout feature of the S7 it would be the camera due to its fast focus, performance in low light and various software features and modes.

Operating System, User Interface, Gaming, and Apps

The Samsung Galaxy S7 is powered by Android 6.0 Marshmallow which is modified with Samsung’s custom TouchWiz Nature UX 3.0 skin. Other than a few “S” apps pre-installed bloatware is at an all-time low. One piece of software that comes pre-installed that you will not regret if you are a gamer is “Game Launcher” – it provides a number of tools that allow you to take screenshots or videos of your games, turn off all alerts during gameplay sessions, see a list of popular games among other features. This app will be a big hit with gamers.

The user interface is standard for those familiar with android just a few modified icons and modified/expanded features for your screen and themes by Samsung. A few design tweaks for those coming from an earlier version of Android is also present but nothing major or off-putting.

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Battery Performance

Another area where the Samsung galaxy S7 shines and improves upon the Samsung Galaxy S6 is the battery. Many S6 owners were not happy with the poor battery performance of the device. Samsung responded by giving the S7 a bigger battery moving from 2550 mAh in the S6 to 3000 mAh in the S7 and there is a big difference. I got more than a days use out of the S7 on most days, and the few days I didn’t was because I was spazzing out while playing with the Samsung Gear VR (opinion post on that coming soon!). The battery problems that plagued the S6 is no longer there on the S7 and if you still can’t get through a day on the S7 you might need to look into the battery-draining apps you have installed or pay attention to the battery manager built into Android.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy S7 is a feature and performance powerhouse and not many other flagship devices can come close to its complete package build to sync with our lifestyle needs. Our smartphones have become in many ways an extension of us; our personalities, our likes, dislikes and a reservoir of memories. The S7 serves as a worthy sidekick; capable, attractive and powerful. The bar is set very high for other smartphone makers.

 

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